Oct. 23, 1873]. 
LOCAL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES 
. A: 
E have devoted part of our space this week 
to a kind of Census of our Local Scientific 
scieties. It will be seen’ that in these Islands we 
ready muster a goodly number, but no friend of 
cience would consider the number satisfactory ; it does 
ot, we are sure—seeing that there are twenty counties in 
ngland and Wales, and a much larger proportion in 
Scotland and Ireland, which appear not to boast of any 
‘such society—represent the true activity of the different 
eeeions from which, so to speak, the societies are fed. 
We do not suppose that our list is accurate ; indeed our 
present purpose in printing it is to gather information. 
‘We hope that many societies exist which are not in our 
‘list ; we fear that some have already ceased to exist since 
the time that Sir Walter Elliot, with infinite pains, com- 
piled some of the data on which we have had to rely in 
‘the absence of information forwarded by the officers of 
the societies themselves. 
On the whole, however, all lovers of Science and advo- 
-eates for the spread of scientific education among all 
classes, ought to feel greatly gratified at the rapid increase 
during recent years, of local scientific societies and field- 
clubs indicated by the dates of foundation to be found 
in our list. No more unmistakeable sign of a general 
elevation of taste, of the spread of the scientific influence 
and of a desire for scientific knowledge, can, we think, 
be obtained, than this starting-up, in all parts of the 
country, of societies for the express purpose of scientific 
work in one form or another, and that generally as a 
means of recreation. By far the greater number of the 
societies have had their birth within recent years. With 
‘one or two exceptions, the older societies are not very 
_prominenly scientific, while as a rule the recently founded 
ones bear on their very front the declaration that they 
have been established solely for the pursuit of Science. 
Thisisindeed very encouraging, more especially when 
we reflect that this result is no outcome of any temporary 
burst of enthusiasm, of any exciting scientific “ revival ” 
agitation, but is simply the natural fruit of the slow but 
sure development of the scientific spirit in our country. 
From the information which has been kindly sent us by 
the secretaries of the various societies many interesting 
facts might be presented, and many curious and valuable 
inferences drawn. It will be seen from the list, that the 
societies are very unequally distributed over the country, 
quite a busy hive of them being clustered around the border 
counties of England and Scotland, while not a few counties 
in both countries, as well as in Ireland, are quite unre- 
presented, and many large counties by buta single society. 
Why should this be? Is it to be attributed to the backward 
state of intelligence and education in the unrepresented 
districts? We do not think so; we believe that in every 
county in the three kingdoms, men and women will be 
found with an intelligent love of Science, a desire for scien- 
tific knowledge, and a wish for the spread of scientific edu- 
cation. Such peopleonly require to be roused to perceive the 
advantages of the establishment of scientific societies and 
field-clubs in their midst ; if only some one would take 
the initiative and start such societies where they do not 
at present exist, we have no fear, if judicious means be 
used, that ample success will follow. From the large 
—— oe 
NATURE 
523 
number of members belonging to many of the societies 
members belonging to all classes of society, it will be 
seen that it is now considered honourable to be connected 
with such an association ; and although in most societies 
there is only a small nucleus of working members, still 
while efforts should be made to engage all in the work, 
the non-working majority should be considered as, at least 
by their subscriptions and good-will, they help on the 
good cause. 
Into these and other details we hope to enter in one or 
more future articles, founded partly on the statistics we pos- 
sess. At the present time, when a Committee of the British 
Association is considering the whole question of our local 
Societies, we think it useful to point out the extreme 
importance of an increased activity in this direction. The 
recent action of the Government in aiding the establish- 
ment of Science Schools has enormously increased the 
advantages which such local associations may confer on 
outsiders, while at the same time it has greatly widened 
the recruiting ground, And it is in this double capacity 
that the formation, encouragement, and extension of such 
societies should be the care of all, whether scientific in 
their tastes or not; while, to friends of Science it is 
crucial, for Government aid, under existing arrange- 
ments, can only come where there are Science Classes ; 
and without Government aid, in nine cases out of ten, 
the thing will fall to the ground altogether, or drag on 
an existence of second-rate utility. 
If there then be any Scientific Societies without Science 
Classes attached to them, let them be assured that their 
museums are comparatively valueless ; and further, that 
their museum must always remain as it is, for though 
it is clear to many that the Government must soon supply 
typical collections to museums which are available for 
teaching purposes, it is equally clear that there is no 
reason why they should do so to museums the utility of 
which is limited merely to members of a society. 
Again: If there be any Scientific Societies without 
Science Classes attached to them let them be assured that 
their courses of lectures will prove of the least possible 
value ; for mere lectures to those anxious to learn, but who 
are debarred from more serious study, are more than dis- 
appointing, they are hurtful. 
In the ordinary course of things the Lecture should be 
the precursor of the Science Class. The Science Class 
should drive the student to the Museum, and from the 
zealous students the society should be recruited. 
There is one point in which all will acknowledge our 
local societies have of late made considerable progress, 
and here again the British Association has been helpful 
to them—we refer to the more general establishment of 
courses of lectures, and the more general engagement of 
competent men of science, to place things new and strange 
before their members. Let not such lecturers forget that 
their duty is almost a sacred one ; though he may not be 
a Davy, there may yet be a Faraday among the audience, 
one who may be gained or lost to Science according as 
the lecturer does his allotted work well or ill. 
This brings us to another point. Why should not 
physical and chemical apparatus available for high- 
class experimental lectures be occasionally seen in 
our museums or in rooms adjoining them? Why 
should the stuffed crocodile and curious weapon of some 
